YAMAHA MT-07 (2019) Review.

Many of you may be asking why I am testing this Yamaha MT-07 that was first launched in 2014 and subsequently went through some upgrades, considering that the 2021 model is going to be launch soon. Well, Hong Leong Yamaha Motor Sdn Bhd has been gracious enough to let us have this model seeing that we have not done a review on it when it was launched sometime in October 2017.

The Yamaha MT-07 – a 4 stroke, 689 cc liquid cooled, inline 2-cylinder engine with fuel injection looks aggressively pleasing at its side profile. A naked class motorcycle that would have the approval of any action movie director.

Aesthetically good looking, I was however disappointed on the first 5 minutes of riding it off from Yamaha office. The clutch is tight, and the gear change is hard. I stopped to adjust the clutch but that only improves slightly. It took a bit of effort to shift the gears up and down. I am not sure if this is standard or could be the test bike that was given to me had this issue. It kept me constantly focusing on the gears rather than enjoying the ride.

The 183 kg MT-07 is also not very well balanced. The weight biasness is towards the front and it makes turning at low speed, or when making a U-turn a challenge. It is also not very agile when riding between vehicles in heavy traffic. The handle-bar can be a bit longer for easier maneuverability but the height is sufficient and comfortable.

The MT-07 has a twin cylinder engine but the feel with slight vibration is like riding on a single cylinder motorcycle. Torque is great, producing 68.0 Nm @6,500 rpm. The “single cylinder feel” dissipated when you hit higher speed. With no hesitation, this 6-speed, chain driven MT-07 can reach 200 km/h, albeit with a long stretch of clear road ahead of you. Engine braking when downshifting is a bit “drastic” and could use some refinement.

The ABS equipped hydraulic double disc ᴓ282 mm front and hydraulic single disc ᴓ245 mm rear brakes are firm and stop well. The front brake lever is good that it is adjustable according to each rider’s preference.

The Diamond tubular frame, front telescopic forks, and rear shock with rebound damping adjustable worked well in mid to fast corners, of course owners must be sure to have a good set of tires fitted to it.

The seat is firm and comfortable, even on long touring ride. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to get a pillion to test the rear seat’s comfort and its ergonomics. A safety concern that I have for this MT-07 and also some of Yamaha models is the position of the horn button. It is located too inward and upward on the left that I always press the signal cancelling switch instead of the horn. This is a real worrying issue especially in an emergency when the rider needs to hit the horn fast. Do hope Yamaha will look into this.

The digital instrument panel is clear with reasonably big words and numbers. Simple with all the necessary information a rider will need like fuel level, gear position, temperature, and clock.

According to Yamaha, the MT-07 is designed to bring fun, affordability, and enjoyment back to the street. Yes, it is a fun bike to ride, and at RM38,288 without road tax and insurance, it is definitely affordable. Enjoyment back to the street? You need to test one to know.

Chassis

Dimensions